APA Citation:
Rosoff, M. (2005). How I Live Now. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 978-0-553-37605-0 Award: 2005 Michael L. Printz Award Summary:
Set in present day, anorexic Daisy, is forced by her father and stepmother to move to England to live with her deceased mother’s sister and her four children whom she’s never met. While in England Daisy begins an intimate relationship with her younger cousin Edmond. Meanwhile, days after her arrival a world-wide war breaks out separating the children from their mom. The group is unaffected by the war until British soldiers need their farm and separate the children to live with strangers. Daisy and the only girl cousin, Piper, set out to find the rest of the family and end up back at their old house after a series of gruesome events and near death experiences. After living sometime in the barn, the girls travel to the house and to their surprise, the phone rings for Daisy. The second half of the story takes place six years later. Daisy is leaving a mental hospital because that was the only way her father could get back to America during the war. She travels back to England to reunite with Edmond who is scarred from the war and they try to rebuild their relationship. Critique:
I would have liked this book if there were more details, especially in the second half of the book. This book left me with a lot of unanswered questions. To me it was like reading a short story from an elementary school student in the way it went from event to event to event without really getting you attached to any character. I also did not like this book as an audio book because once Daisy is back in America it starts over at chapter 1 again, which is an interesting approach for writing, but for listening I panicked and thought I hit a wrong button on my iphone. Curriculum Connection: Grades 9-12
KY.9-12.SLO.EU.4 Students will understand that observation involves interpreting and constructing meaning. By viewing in context, students infer, construct meaning, draw conclusions and form opinions about the world around them. Genre: YA Fiction Promotional Activity:
Prior to reading the novel, challenge the students to not use any social media or communications for a weekend to simulate how these kids felt during the war without contact to anyone or any news about what was actually happening. Like our students, the kids in the story were used to having instant access to information. Have students journal a few times each day about their experiences.
Rosoff, M. (2005). How I Live Now. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books. ISBN 978-0-553-37605-0
Award: 2005 Michael L. Printz Award
Summary:
Set in present day, anorexic Daisy, is forced by her father and stepmother to move to England to live with her deceased mother’s sister and her four children whom she’s never met. While in England Daisy begins an intimate relationship with her younger cousin Edmond. Meanwhile, days after her arrival a world-wide war breaks out separating the children from their mom. The group is unaffected by the war until British soldiers need their farm and separate the children to live with strangers. Daisy and the only girl cousin, Piper, set out to find the rest of the family and end up back at their old house after a series of gruesome events and near death experiences. After living sometime in the barn, the girls travel to the house and to their surprise, the phone rings for Daisy. The second half of the story takes place six years later. Daisy is leaving a mental hospital because that was the only way her father could get back to America during the war. She travels back to England to reunite with Edmond who is scarred from the war and they try to rebuild their relationship.
Critique:
I would have liked this book if there were more details, especially in the second half of the book. This book left me with a lot of unanswered questions. To me it was like reading a short story from an elementary school student in the way it went from event to event to event without really getting you attached to any character. I also did not like this book as an audio book because once Daisy is back in America it starts over at chapter 1 again, which is an interesting approach for writing, but for listening I panicked and thought I hit a wrong button on my iphone.
Curriculum Connection: Grades 9-12
KY.9-12.SLO.EU.4 Students will understand that observation involves interpreting and constructing meaning. By viewing in context, students infer, construct meaning, draw conclusions and form opinions about the world around them.
Genre: YA Fiction
Promotional Activity:
Prior to reading the novel, challenge the students to not use any social media or communications for a weekend to simulate how these kids felt during the war without contact to anyone or any news about what was actually happening. Like our students, the kids in the story were used to having instant access to information. Have students journal a few times each day about their experiences.